All posts by : Rich Detrick

Dear brothers and sisters, in the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are confronted with a fundamental question: Whom will we serve? The readings invite us to reflect on our commitment to God, the nature of our relationships with one another, and the challenges of discipleship.

In the first reading from the Book of Joshua, we witness a pivotal moment in the history of Israel. Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses, gathers the tribes of Israel at Shechem, a place of significant covenantal history. He challenges the people to make a decisive choice: to serve the Lord or to serve the gods of the surrounding nations. Joshua declares his own unwavering commitment: “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” This statement is not merely a personal declaration but a public profession of faith. Joshua understands that serving the Lord requires a total commitment, one that cannot coexist with the worship of other gods.                                                                     

The people respond with a resounding affirmation, recalling the Lord’s mighty acts in delivering them from Egypt and guiding them through the wilderness. Their response is rooted in gratitude and memory—they have witnessed God’s faithfulness and, therefore, choose to remain faithful to Him. This passage invites us to consider our own commitment to God. In a world filled with competing loyalties and distractions, whom do we serve? Are we, like Joshua, willing to make a bold stand for our faith, or do we waver in our devotion?                        

The second reading from the Letter to the Ephesians presents a profound reflection on the relationship between husbands and wives, using the analogy of Christ’s relationship with the Church. St. Paul calls for mutual submission out of reverence for Christ, a concept that can be challenging to understand in our contemporary context. However, the focus here is on love and self-sacrifice. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, a love that is self-giving, purifying, and sanctifying. This passage is not about power or control but about the selfless love that reflects the love of Christ.                                                                                               

In the context of the Church, this passage highlights the intimate relationship between Christ and His people. Christ’s love for the Church is a model for all relationships, rooted in sacrificial love and mutual respect. Just as Christ nourishes and cherishes the Church, so too are we called to care for one another, particularly in our most intimate relationships. This reading challenges us to examine how we love and serve those closest to us, and whether our love reflects the self-giving love of Christ.                                            

The Gospel reading from John brings us to a moment of crisis in the ministry of Jesus. After delivering the Bread of Life discourse, many of Jesus’ disciples find His teachings difficult to accept. “This saying is hard; who can accept it?” they murmur. Jesus does not soften His message but challenges them further, emphasizing that it is the Spirit that gives life. Many disciples choose to leave, unable to accept the demands of following Jesus.                                                                                                                                                       

In this moment, Jesus turns to the Twelve and asks, “Do you also want to leave?” Peter’s response is a profound declaration of faith: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Peter recognizes that despite the difficulty of Jesus’ teachings, there is no alternative that offers what Jesus does—eternal life and truth.                                                                                          

This Gospel challenges us to consider our own response to the difficult teachings of Christ. Discipleship is not easy; it requires trust, even when we do not fully understand or when the teachings challenge our comfort. Like Peter, we are invited to respond with faith, acknowledging that only in Christ can we find the words of eternal life.                                                                                       

In conclusion, the readings today call us to a deeper commitment to God, to love one another with the selfless love of Christ, and to remain faithful even when the path of discipleship is challenging. As we reflect on these readings, may we, like Joshua, Peter, and the people of Israel, choose to serve the Lord with all our hearts, trusting in His words of eternal life.

Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather to reflect on the readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are invited to delve into the profound wisdom of God that offers us life, purpose, and eternal nourishment. The scriptures today draw us into the heart of God’s desire for us—a life lived in communion with Him, rooted in wisdom, and sustained by the Bread of Life.                                                                     

Our first reading from the Book of Proverbs paints a vivid picture of Wisdom personified as a gracious hostess. She has built her house, set up her seven columns, and prepared a feast. The imagery of Wisdom preparing a banquet speaks to the abundance and generosity of God. The house with its seven columns represents completeness, stability, and perfection. Wisdom calls out to the simple, inviting them to leave behind their foolish ways and partake in her feast, which symbolizes the divine knowledge and understanding that lead to true life.                                             

This invitation is not just for the intellectually elite or spiritually mature; it is for the “simple,” for those who recognize their need for God’s guidance and instruction. The call to forsake foolishness and embrace the way of understanding is a call to conversion, to turn away from the distractions and deceptions of the world and to seek the path that leads to life.                                                                                                       

In our second reading from Ephesians, St. Paul echoes this theme of wisdom by exhorting us to live not as foolish persons but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. St. Paul warns against the dangers of ignorance and urges us to seek the will of the Lord. He contrasts the debauchery of being drunk on wine with being filled with the Spirit, which leads to a life of praise, thanksgiving, and spiritual communion.                                                                                  

This passage challenges us to examine our lives, to consider how we spend our time, and to ask ourselves whether we are truly living in accordance with God’s will. Are we making the most of the opportunities God gives us, or are we squandering them in foolish pursuits? St. Paul’s call to be filled with the Spirit invites us to embrace a life of intentional discipleship, where our words, actions, and thoughts are aligned with God’s purposes.

The Gospel reading from John brings us to the core of our Christian faith—the Eucharist. Jesus proclaims Himself as the living bread that came down from heaven, offering His flesh for the life of the world. The Jews struggle to understand how Jesus can give them His flesh to eat, but Jesus insists on the necessity of this sacramental act. “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day,” He declares.                                                          

In these words, Jesus reveals the profound mystery of the Eucharist, where bread and wine become His Body and Blood. This is not just a symbolic gesture, but a real participation in the life of Christ. To eat His flesh and drink His blood is to remain in Him and He in us. It is a communion that transcends time and space, drawing us into the eternal life of God.                                                                                       

The Eucharist is the ultimate expression of God’s wisdom and love. It is the feast that Wisdom has prepared, the banquet where we are nourished with the very life of God. In the Eucharist, we are united with Christ and with one another, forming the Body of Christ, the Church.                 

As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we responding to Wisdom’s invitation? Are we living as wise and discerning followers of Christ? And most importantly, are we drawing our life from the Bread of Life, Jesus Himself, who offers us the gift of eternal life? May we approach the altar today with hearts full of gratitude, ready to be nourished by the One who gave His life for us, so that we may have life in abundance.

Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s readings, we encounter a profound exploration of the human heart’s search for sustenance—both physical and spiritual. The Israelites in the desert, the early Christians in Ephesus, and the crowds following Jesus all share a common experience: the longing for something that truly satisfies.                                  

In the first reading from Exodus, the Israelites are in the wilderness, having been delivered from slavery in Egypt. Yet, despite their newfound freedom, they are quick to grumble against Moses and Aaron, longing for the days when they had plenty to eat, even if it meant living in bondage. This grumbling reveals a deeper spiritual truth about human nature: we often prefer the familiarity of old chains over the uncertainties of freedom. The Israelites were more comfortable with the security of their past, even though it was a life of slavery, than with trusting in God’s provision in the unknown wilderness.                            

God’s response to their complaints is not one of anger, but of grace. He promises to rain down bread from heaven—manna—to sustain them daily. This manna is more than just physical sustenance; it is a test, an invitation to trust in God’s daily provision. By providing manna each day, God teaches the Israelites that their true source of life is not in the abundance of material goods, but in His faithful provision.                           

In the second reading from Ephesians, Paul calls the early Christians to a new way of life, one that reflects their new identity in Christ. He exhorts them to put away the old self, which is corrupted by deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of their minds. This renewal is about embracing the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness. Paul’s words remind us that following Christ means more than just an external change; it requires an inner transformation, a reordering of our desires and priorities. Like the Israelites, we are called to leave behind the “fleshpots” of our old life, the habits and desires that keep us enslaved, and to trust in the new life that God offers us in Christ.

In the Gospel, we see a crowd searching for Jesus after He miraculously fed them with loaves and fishes. Their search is driven not by spiritual hunger, but by a desire for more physical bread. Jesus, perceiving this, challenges them: “Do not work for food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life.” He invites them to look beyond their immediate physical needs and to recognize the deeper hunger that only He can satisfy. The crowd, still focused on their physical needs, asks for a sign, recalling how their ancestors were given manna in the desert.   

Jesus responds by pointing them to a greater reality: the true bread from heaven is not the manna of old, but the bread of God that gives life to the world. And this bread, He reveals, is Himself: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” Here, Jesus is offering Himself as the ultimate fulfillment of all human longing. He is the true sustenance that satisfies not just our physical needs, but the deepest desires of our hearts.              

These readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. What are we hungering for? Are we, like the Israelites, grumbling about our current situation, longing for the comforts of our past, even if it meant living in spiritual slavery? Are we, like the crowds, chasing after things that cannot truly satisfy? Or are we willing to trust in God’s provision, to embrace the new life that Christ offers, and to seek the food that endures for eternal life?                                                                                                       

Jesus is the bread of life, the one who sustains us in every part of our journey. In Him, we find the fulfillment of our deepest longings. Let us come to Him with open hearts, trusting that He will feed us with the bread that truly satisfies.

My dear brothers and sisters, as we gather this Sunday to reflect upon the sacred readings, we are reminded of the profound care and compassion of our God, who is always attentive to our needs and deeply concerned about our well-being. Today’s readings invite us to contemplate the nature of true shepherding, the peace that Christ brings, and the compassionate heart of our Lord.                      

In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear a stern warning against the shepherds who mislead and scatter the flock of God’s pasture. The term “shepherd” here refers to the leaders of Israel who have failed in their duty to guide and care for the people. God, through Jeremiah, pronounces woe upon these leaders because they have neglected their responsibilities, causing the people to stray and suffer.                                                                                     

God’s response to this failure is not to abandon His people but to promise a future of hope and restoration. He declares that He Himself will gather the remnant of His flock, bringing them back to their meadow where they shall increase and multiply. God promises to raise up righteous shepherds who will care for His people, ensuring that they no longer live in fear or go astray.                                    

This promise culminates in the prophecy of a righteous shoot from the line of David—a king who will govern wisely and bring justice and peace to the land. This prophecy points to the coming of Christ, the Good Shepherd, who embodies God’s justice and righteousness. In Jesus, we find the fulfillment of God’s promise to shepherd His people with love and care, leading them to true security and peace.                                                                          

In the second reading, St. Paul speaks to the Ephesians about the transformative power of Christ’s peace. He reminds them that through the blood of Christ, those who were once far off have been brought near. Christ has broken down the dividing wall of enmity, creating unity and peace among those who were previously divided.                                 

St. Paul explains that Jesus has abolished the law with its commandments and legal claims, establishing a new covenant that transcends old divisions. By his death on the cross, Christ has reconciled humanity with God, forming one new person in place of the two. This profound act of reconciliation not only unites us with God but also with one another, making us one body in Christ.              

The peace that Jesus brings is not merely the absence of conflict but a deep and abiding sense of wholeness and harmony. It is a peace that heals wounds, mends broken relationships, and restores unity. As followers of Christ, we are called to live out this peace, becoming instruments of reconciliation in our world, breaking down the walls that divide us, and fostering unity and love.            

In the Gospel reading from Mark, we witness the compassionate heart of Jesus. After the apostles return from their mission, they gather around Jesus to report all that they had done and taught. Recognizing their need for rest, Jesus invites them to come away to a deserted place. However, the crowds, eager to be near Jesus, follow them, arriving at the place even before Jesus and His disciples.                                                                        

When Jesus sees the vast crowd, He is moved with pity for them because they are like sheep without a shepherd. Despite His own need for rest, Jesus’ heart is filled with compassion, and He begins to teach them many things. This scene beautifully illustrates the depth of Jesus’ love and concern for His people. He is the Good Shepherd who is always attentive to the needs of His flock, ready to guide, teach, and nourish them.                                                              

Jesus’ reaction to the crowd also challenges us to reflect on our own response to the needs of those around us. Do we allow ourselves to be moved with compassion? Are we willing to put aside our own comfort to reach out and care for others? Jesus sets an example for us, demonstrating that true shepherding involves selfless love and a readiness to serve, even when it is inconvenient.                                     

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings call us to embrace the heart of the Good Shepherd. We are reminded of God’s unwavering commitment to care for us, the peace that Christ brings through His sacrifice, and the boundless compassion of Jesus. Let us strive to be like Christ, living as instruments of His peace and compassion in our world. May we heed the call to be righteous shepherds in our own spheres of influence, guiding others with love and care, and always reflecting the heart of our Lord.               

As we continue with this Eucharistic celebration, let us ask for the grace to be true disciples of Christ, embodying His love, peace, and compassion in all that we do.

Dear brothers and sisters, today’s readings bring us profound insights into God’s calling, our identity in Christ, and the mission entrusted to us as His followers. They remind us that God chooses ordinary people to fulfill His extraordinary purposes, and He equips us with the grace and strength needed for our journey.                                    

In our first reading, we encounter the prophet Amos, who is confronted by Amaziah, the priest of Bethel. Amaziah tells Amos to flee to Judah and never again prophesy in Bethel. Amos responds by revealing his humble origins: he was a shepherd and a dresser of sycamores, not a professional prophet. Yet, it was the Lord who took him from following the flock and commanded him to prophesy to Israel.  This passage highlights a significant truth: God often calls the unlikely and the ordinary to carry out His work. Amos had no formal training or status, but God chose him because of his willingness to listen and obey. This should encourage us all. We may feel unworthy or ill-equipped, but God’s call is not based on our qualifications. He sees our potential and empowers us to fulfill His purpose. When God calls, He also provides the grace and strength needed to carry out His mission.        

In the second reading, St. Paul reminds us of the incredible blessings we have received in Christ. We have been chosen, adopted, and redeemed. God’s plan for us was set before the foundation of the world. We are called to be holy and blameless before Him, destined for adoption through Jesus Christ. In Him, we have redemption and the forgiveness of our transgressions.                                                                          ‘

This passage beautifully outlines our identity and destiny as Christians. We are not random products of chance but intentional creations of a loving God. Our lives have purpose and meaning because we are part of God’s grand design. This understanding should fill us with profound gratitude and inspire us to live in a manner worthy of our calling. Knowing that we are chosen and loved by God should motivate us to spread this message of love and redemption to others.

In the Gospel, Jesus sends out the Twelve Apostles two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. He instructs them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no food, no sack, no money. They are to rely on the hospitality of those they meet and, if not welcomed, shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against those towns.                                                                                                           

Jesus’ instructions to the Apostles emphasize the importance of trust and dependence on God. By taking nothing for the journey, the Apostles had to rely entirely on God’s provision and the generosity of others. This radical trust is a powerful witness to the world. It shows that the mission of spreading the Gospel is not about material resources or human strength but about God’s power and faithfulness.                             

The Apostles went out, preached repentance, drove out demons, and healed the sick. Their success was not due to their abilities but to the authority and power given to them by Jesus. This is a reminder that when we step out in faith and obedience, God works through us to accomplish His purposes. Our mission is to proclaim the Good News, trusting that God will provide and work through our efforts.                     

As we reflect on these readings, let us be reminded of our own calling and mission. Like Amos, we may feel unqualified, but God calls us to speak His truth and live out His love. Like the Ephesians, we are blessed, chosen, and redeemed, called to a life of holiness and purpose. Like the Apostles, we are sent out to proclaim the Gospel, relying not on our strength but on God’s power and provision.                                                    

Let us embrace our identity in Christ and answer His call with faith and courage. May we trust in His provision, depend on His strength, and faithfully carry out the mission He has entrusted to us. And as we do, may we experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living out God’s purpose for our lives.